Johnnie Hunter | A Tribute

A Tribute to Johnnie Hunter – Limavady CRFC

The North West Cricket Union was mourning the loss of another of its very popular figures on Thursday with the untimely death of Limavady CC stalwart, Johnnie Hunter.

Aged just 47 he had been suffering from various health issues and was admitted to hospital in December before finally losing his battle.

Johnnie celebrated the hugely successful days at the Hunter Memorial Grounds named of course after his late father, John, and although cantankerous when he felt he had to fight his corner, he was one of life’s true gentlemen.

He regularly rang me to, as he called it “let off steam” over the years when he felt that his beloved Roesiders had been wronged, but it was impossible to fall out with him.

A testament to his determination, along with David Cooke and Peter Gillespie I spent a full three days in his company as we tried to get a resolution to the 2009 Premier Division title race. It was only Johnnie’s ability to placate his own club members that saw the title shared that season, but boy did he dig in throughout.

His spirit never waned even when Limavady’s fortunes took a real down-turn shortly after that. In fact that was when he really came into his own.

No matter how many left, Johnnie stayed and with Ivor Lapsley among others they battled on to keep cricket going at Limavady.

Ivor was by Johnnie’s side right throughout his illness and was a true friend in every sense of the word.

My last conversation with Johnnie was just before Christmas when he rang to give an update on his health and went on our Facebook page that night to thank all those who had wished him well after we posted on the page.

He is survived by his sister Jeanette and the deepest condolences of all in North West cricket and beyond are with her and the wider family circle at this difficult time.